Deer reportedly shot by on-duty police officer from patrol unit, LDWF says.
Two Winnsboro police officers and a Franklin Parish Detention Center corrections officer were cited earlier this week for allegedly shooting deer at night, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries said.
LDWF agents cited 31-year-old Winnsboro City Police Officer Joshua Martin of Winnsboro, and 22-year-old Franklin Parish Detention Center Corrections Officer Hunter Guimbellot of Winnsboro on Jan. 5 for taking a deer during illegal hours using artificial light and hunting from a moving vehicle.Agents also cited 34-year-old Winnsboro City Police Officer Chester Coleman of Enterprise on Jan. 7 for taking a deer during illegal hours using artificial light, hunting from a moving vehicle, failing to comply with deer tagging requirements, and hunting without basic and big game licenses. Agents also arrested Coleman for malfeasance in office and booked him into the Franklin Parish Jail.
The case arose after agents received a report of an illegal hunting incident in Franklin Parish on Dec. 30. Agents learned from the informant that Coleman, Martin and Guimbellot allegedly harvested a doe deer around 8 p.m. at the Winnsboro City Industrial Park.
Coleman allegedly was on duty at the time of the illegal hunting activitiy, and he reportedly shot the deer from his patrol vehicle with Martin’s .308 rifle. The three men then allegedly put the deer into the trunk of the patrol vehicle for later cleaning, the LDWF said.
Agents seized the .308 rifle and the deer.
Malfeasance in office is a felony that brings up to five years in jail and $5,000 in fines. Taking deer during illegal hours brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Hunting from a moving vehicle brings a $250 to $500 and up to 90 days in jail. Hunting without basic and big game licenses carries a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail for each offense. Violating deer tagging regulations brings a $100 to $300 fine and up to 60 days in jail.
